When is petunia planting seedlings in open ground or a pot?

Rose rightfully belongs to the title of "queen" of flowers, but petunia also takes not the last place in the flower "beauty contest". She was nicknamed "the queen" of the garden. Lush flowers, painted in juicy shades, delight and deliver aesthetic pleasure. It doesn't matter where the "queen" flaunts: in a hanging planter on the balcony or in the front garden. The main thing is that the petunia is healthy. To do this, you need to sow seeds at a certain time and in prepared soil. An equally important stage for future growth and flowering is the correct planting. All activities must be carried out correctly.

Features of petunias

Despite the fact that petunias are perennials, they are bred as annuals. Spectacular flowers adorn the most ordinary-looking balcony or gray corner of the garden. The plant has earned its popularity due to the available riot of colors and the duration of flowering. Depending on the variety, the flowers are double or simple.

Petunias are very fond of warmth and light. They are resistant to drought and sunshine. On especially hot days, when the soil dries up, moderate watering is necessary. Sandy loam soil is preferred, however the plant survives in any soil. The most difficult procedure in growing is preparing strong and healthy seedlings. Weak, fragile bushes will die even with proper care.

How to prepare seedlings?

Before planting seeds, you need to choose the right variety. Pay attention not only to color and appearance, but also to varietal characteristics. Some species do not tolerate moisture, others suffer from prolonged drought. Modern hybrids are not afraid of frost, rainfall, or squall wind. This type includes surfinii.

Growing strong seedlings for planting in open ground is carried out in 4 stages.

1. Seed selection. When buying, pay attention to the production time. The fresher the seeds are, the more likely they are to grow. Give preference to plain seeds over coated seeds. Ampel varieties are suitable for planting in boxes, and bush petunias look more beautiful on the open ground. You can sow seeds in February-March.
   

   Tip The container should be covered with a lid until the seeds germinate.

2. Correct seeding. You can sow petunias in special oblong seedling pots or ordinary food containers with a transparent lid. They let in light and create a greenhouse environment. The seeds must not be buried in the ground, otherwise they will not germinate. Small seeds can be hooked on with a toothpick and placed in a container. For planting, use sifted soil flavored with humus.
3. Transfer to separate containers. The picking is carried out after the seedlings reach a height of about 5 cm. The term "picking" means the selection of the strongest shoots and transplantation into separate cups. These can be special peat glasses or regular yogurt containers. Once the root system has grown, the sprouts can be transplanted into larger containers. It is correct to do this in a month, when the seedling releases 4 leaves.
4. Care before planting. Before seed germination, the temperature should be at least 23 degrees. After picking, you can "harden" young shoots for future planting in open ground: at night the temperature should be above 15 degrees, in the daytime at least 18. Do not forget about feeding in the form of complex fertilizer for flowers.

The total growing time for petunias at home is 2-3 months. In warm regions, mature seedlings can be planted in a garden or hanging pots by mid-May. In the middle lane, it is advisable to wait for the second week of June.

Landing in the ground: preparation and conduct of the event

Planting in the ground is a shock for a plant spoiled by greenhouse conditions. Before planting seedlings, train them. Limit watering the plant 10 days before transplanting. Take the pots out to the wide open balcony daily. Leave them to “spend the night” in the fresh air 3 days before transplanting. If you live in your own home, take the pots outside. The day before planting in the open ground, you can start preparing the beds.

If the soil pH is less than 5.5, lime must be added (200 g / m²). You can fertilize the soil with humus a few days before planting. Landing is carried out in the late afternoon or on a warm but cloudy day. The depth and width of the hole must be the same, but not less than 10 cm.The distance between the holes depends on the selected variety of petunias:

• 30-35 cm for bush varieties;
• 25-28 cm for large-flowered varieties;
• 18-22 cm for small-flowered varieties.

Before removing the seedling from the dive cup, pour plenty of water over the soil. Take the seedlings out of the glass with extreme caution. It is important not to damage the root system. Landing is carried out with a lump of earth. Seedlings are tamped tightly into the ground and watered with plenty of warm water to mitigate the stress of planting in cool open ground. The soil around the planted bush should be covered with peat, humus or sawdust. This will help to retain moisture and protect the plant from disease. In the first two days, petunias should be protected from direct sunlight.

Care after planting

A correct procedure for planting sprouts does not guarantee success. When the planting is done, you need to surround the flowers with care. It is important not to overdo it, but to follow the rules for caring for young petunias.

• Watering... It is correct to water petunias only in hot weather, when the earth dries up. Watering is carried out after sunset. Do not flood the beds with water - this can lead to the development of fungal diseases and destroy the plant.
• Top dressing... The first fertilization is carried out on the 10th day. It is better to choose fertilizers with nitrogen content. Subsequent dressings should be applied when buds begin to form. During this period, fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus are needed. If you notice yellowed spots on the leaves, add iron to the soil.
• Bush formation... It is not enough just to plant a seedling and wait for a beautiful uniform bush to grow out of it. It is necessary to form a round "cap" by removing long shoots. Withered buds should be removed immediately after flowering.

To decorate a flower bed or front garden with colorful petunias, you need to be able to grow seeds and plant seedlings. Regular watering and feeding will be reflected in the breathtaking beauty of the blooming garden. Lush buds will delight the eye from early summer to late autumn.